Apple tree named &#39;R10-45&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of apple tree is described and which is characterized as to novelty by producing a flavorful apple which is mature for harvesting and shipment about October 4 th  under the ecological conditions prevailing in Quincy, Wash.

LATIN NAME

Malus domestica

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

‘R10-45’

BACKGROUND AND VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new, novel, and distinct variety ofapple tree, and which has been denominated varietally as ‘R10-45’, andmore specifically, to a novel apple tree which produces fruit which areripe for harvesting and shipment at least about 2-4 weeks earlier thanits male and female parents when grown under the same ecologicalconditions, and at the same geographical location.

ORIGIN AND ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

It has long been recognized that an important factor contributing to thesuccess of any new variety of apple tree bearing fresh market fruit isits relative date of harvesting as compared to other varieties bearingsimilar fruit in the same season. Additionally, another significantfactor affecting the commercial viability of any new variety of applerelates to its appearance, as well as its storage characteristics, andwhich are reflected by such pomological traits as fruit pressure,soluble solids, and pH to name but a few. The new variety of apple tree,as described herein was derived by the following methodology. The newvariety ‘R10-45’ was derived by way of a cross-pollination of theHoneycrisp apple tree (the female parent, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,197) anda Cripps Pink Cultivar (male parent, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,880), andwherein such cross pollination was made during the 2002 growing season.The resulting plant was then budded into M9 rootstock (unpatented), andthe first fruit was observed in October 2007. After evaluation, andduring the 2008 growing season, and in the month of April, secondgeneration trees were budded onto M26 rootstock (unpatented), and whichwere then planted in the spring of 2009. The first fruit from theseasexually reproduced trees were again observed in October 2010. Fruitgenerated from the second generation trees during the growing years2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 have been studied and compared and itappears that all characteristics of the subsequent asexuallyreproductive trees remain true to that seen in the original firstgeneration tree.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The ‘R10-45’ apple tree is characterized as to novelty by its date ofmaturity which is nearly two weeks earlier than its male parent, theCripps Pink Cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,880); and some four weeksfollowing the harvesting of the female parent that being the Honeycrispapple tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,197) at the same geographicallocation. Additionally, the new variety of apple tree exhibits highersugar levels than either of its parents, and has fruit pressures greaterthan what is seen in the fruit harvested from the Honeycrisp apple tree(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,197), but which is less than the fruit pressureproduced by the Cripps Pink Cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,880).Additionally, it should be noted that the present variety produces fruitwhich have greater acid levels than the fruit produced by the Honeycrispapple tree, but which is further less than that of the Cripps PinkCultivar tree. The present variety of apple tree is similar to itsparents inasmuch as the ‘R10-45’ has a long common storage life of atleast 6 months. In contrast, however, the new variety of apple treeproduces fruit which does not exhibit the bitter pit physiologicaldisorder that the fruit produced by the Honeycrisp apple tree (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 7,197) does on occasion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are color photographs of the present variety.

FIG. 1 depicts a second generation tree at full dormancy.

FIG. 2 shows the typical spur development shown by the new variety ofapple tree.

FIG. 3 illustrates the flowering characteristics of the new tree at fullbloom.

FIG. 4 shows the present tree at full harvest maturity.

FIG. 5 shows the fruit produced by the present tree in variousorientations.

FIG. 6 illustrates the present variety of fruit as compared to the fruitproduced by the Honeycrisp apple tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,197), andthat of the Cripps Pink Cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,880).

NOT A COMMERCIAL WARRANTY

The following detailed description has been prepared to solely complywith the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, and does not constitute acommercial warranty, (either expressed or implied), that the presentvariety will, in the future, display the botanical, pomological or othercharacteristics as set forth, hereinafter. Therefore, this disclosuremay not be relied upon to support any future legal claims, including,but not limited to breach of warranty of merchantability, or fitness forany particular purpose, which is directed, in whole, or in part, to thepresent variety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological and botanical details ofthis new and distinct variety of apple tree, the following has beenobserved during the 2010 growing season under the ecological conditionsprevailing in a test orchard which is located near Quincy, Wash. Allmajor color code designations are by reference to the R.H.S. Color Chartprovided by the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:    -   -   Tree type.—The present variety is a spur-type tree with            single buds appearing on each spur. The present tree is            trained in a spindle-type manner.        -   Fruit bearing.—Considered a consistent bearer.        -   Spur development.—Generally — Moderate for the species.        -   Tree vigor.—Generally — Considered moderate.        -   Tree shape.—Generally — Upright and spreading as trained to            the spindle.        -   Tree height.—The present variety, when measured during its            ninth leaf, has an overall height of about 13 feet.        -   Tree width.—As measured during the ninth leaf, the new tree            had a width of about 4.5 feet.        -   Hardiness.—Considered hardy for the current region where it            is being grown in.        -   Fruit productivity.—Considered moderately heavy for the            species.        -   Tree trunk.—Size — The tree diameter is about 4.6 cm. when            measured at a height of about 30 cm. above the graft union.        -   Bark texture.—Smooth.        -   Bark color.—Generally — Grey-orange (RHS N167A).        -   Trunk lenticels.—Generally speaking they are present, and            moderate in number, and averaging about six lenticels in a            four centimeter square area.        -   Lenticel width.—About 1.2 mm.        -   Lenticel length.—About 4.4 mm.        -   Lenticel color.—Generally — Brown, (RHS 200A).        -   First year branches.—Diameter — When measured at the            midpoint of growth, the diameter is about 4.4 to about 6.9            mm.        -   First year branch length.—About 25.2 to about 64.5 cm.        -   First year branch color.—Grey-orange (RHS 166A).        -   Branch lenticels.—Numbers — Considered numerous and            averaging about 20 per running cm. of growth.        -   Lenticels.—Shape — Round and having a diameter of about 0.8            to about 1.0 mm.        -   Lenticel color.—White (RHS 155D).        -   Branch pubescence.—Generally — Light to moderate pubescence            covers about 100% of the surface area.        -   Branch pubescence color.—White (RHS 155D).        -   Internodes.—Generally — The distance between the nodes            ranges from about 22.2 mm. to about 37.3 mm.        -   Two year old fruiting branches.—Generally — Two year old            fruiting branches have a diameter when measured at the            midpoint of growth of about 5.5 to about 6.8 mm.        -   Two year old bark color.—Grey-orange (RHS 165A).        -   Two year old bark branch lenticels.—Numbers — Numerous and            averaging about 14 lenticels per square cm. of surface area.        -   Lenticel shape.—Generally elongated and a few being rounded.        -   Lenticel length.—About 1.2 to about 1.4 mm.        -   Lenticel width.—About 0.7 to about 0.8 mm. Lenticel Diameter            — 0.9 to about 1.2 mm.        -   Spur development.—2 year old fruiting branches — Considered            moderate.        -   Spur length.—About 11.8 to about 19.3 mm. The present            variety is considered to be a tip bearer.        -   Spur buds.—Length — About 8.6 mm.        -   Tip bud.—Length — About 10.9 mm.        -   Spur bud diameter.—About 3.5 mm.        -   Bud scale color.—Grey-orange (RHS 178A).        -   Scaffold branches.—Size — About 19 mm. to about 20.4 mm. in            diameter as measured at a distance of about 3 cm. from the            trunk.        -   Crotch angle.—As presently spindle-trained it is about 90°            when measured from the vertical.        -   Branch color.—Generally — Grey-orange (RHS N167A).        -   Branch lenticel.—Numbers — Numerous and averaging about 17            lenticels per 4 square centimeters of surface area.        -   Lenticel shape.—Elongated, about 0.4 to about 1 mm. in width            and about 1.6 mm to about 3.7 mm. in length.        -   Lenticel color.—White (RHS N155D).-   Leaves:    -   -   Leaf shape.—Generally — Narrowly acute.        -   Dorsal surface texture.—Glabrous, leathery, and undulating            between the veins.        -   Ventral surface texture.—Considered smooth and having            protruding veins.        -   Surface sheen.—A high sheen is seen on the dorsal surface.        -   Leaf pubescence.—This characteristic is only seen on the            ventral surface. The leaf pubescence is fine, and moderate            in density, and further extends over approximately 100% of            the surface area.        -   Leaf pubescence.—Color — White (RHS 155C).        -   Leaf length.—Generally, the leaf length lies in a range of            about 7.5 to about 11.2 cm.        -   Leaf width.—About 3.6 cm to about 6.2 cm.        -   Marginal form.—Generally — Considered serrate and            occasionally bi-serrate.        -   Leaf tip shape.—Acuminate.        -   Leaf base shape.—Rounded.        -   Leaf color.—Dorsal Surface — Yellow-green (RHS 147A).        -   Leaf color.—Ventral Surface — Yellow-green (RHS 147C).        -   Mid-Vein.—Generally — Prominent and having considerable            downiness over the entire undersurface.        -   Mid-vein pubescence.—Color — White (RHS 155C).        -   Mid-vein width—When measured at mid-blade, this dimension            averages 1.7 mm.        -   Mid-vein color.—Both the dorsal and ventral surface vein            color is yellow-green (RHS 147C).        -   Petiole.—Length — About 21.5 to about 39.6 mm.        -   Petiole surface texture.—Generally — A shallow, and low            groove extends along the entire length of the petiole.        -   Petiole diameter.—About 1.2 to about 2 mm.        -   Petiole color.—Dorsal surface — Yellow-green (RHS 147D).        -   Petiole color.—Ventral Surface — Yellow-green (RHS 145C).        -   Petiole pubescence.—Generally — Considered abundant, and            having a moderate density over the entire length and            circumference of the petiole.        -   Petiole color.—White. This color is not distinctive of the            variety.        -   Leaf stipules.—Generally — Stipules are typically present.            Usually two stipules are seen, and are present on about 50%            of the leaves that are inspected.        -   Stipule shape.—Falcate.        -   Stipule length.—3.5 to about 10.3 mm.        -   Stipule width.—About 0.7 to about 1.4 mm.        -   Stipule color.—Dorsal Surface — Yellow-green (RHS 147A).        -   Stipule color.—Ventral Surface — Yellow-green (RHS 147C).        -   Stipule pubescence.—This characteristic is generally present            on 100% of the ventral surface.        -   Pubescence quantity.—Light in quantity and having a white            color (RHS 155C).-   Flowers: Date of full bloom. In 2014 this was observed on April 24    under the ecological conditions prevailing in Quincy, Wash.    -   -   Number of blossoms per bud.—Generally — 5 to 6.        -   Flower size.—Generally — Considered large and having a            diameter of about 42.3 to about 51.8 mm when fully opened.        -   Petal numbers.—5.        -   Petal shape.—Ovate.        -   Petal tip.—Shape — Mostly rounded a few being obtuse or            emarginated.        -   Petal width.—About 16.6 mm.        -   Petal length.—About 21.9 mm.        -   Petal color.—Unopened — Grey-purple (RHS 195B).        -   Petal color when fully opened.—The dorsal surface of the            petal is a white color that graduates into a shade of            grey-purple. (RHS 186D).        -   Petal color.—Ventral surface — White and having shades of            grey-purple (RHS 186B).        -   Stamens.—Numbers — About 19 to 20.        -   Filament.—Length — About 5.6 to about 8.9 mm.        -   Filament color.—Grey-green (RHS 192C).        -   Anthers.—Shape — Kidney like.        -   Anthers.—Width — About 1.1 mm.        -   Anthers.—Length — About 1.9 mm.        -   Anther color.—Yellow-white (RHS 158B).        -   Pollen production.—Generally — Considered moderate in            abundance.        -   Pollen.—Color — Yellow-white (RHS 158D).        -   Pistil.—Style — The style has a length of about 10.8 mm to            about 13.7 mm.        -   Style.—Numbers — Five styles are fused at a distance of            about 2.9 mm from the base.        -   Style color.—Grey-orange (RHS 163D).        -   Style.—Pubescence — This pubescence is typically found in a            region from the base to the fused region.        -   Pubescence color.—Green-white (RHS 155C).        -   Stigma.—Shape — Club like.        -   Stigma color.—Grey-yellow (RHS 162A).        -   Stigma.—Pollen Abundance — Considered abundant.        -   Mature pollen color.—Yellow-white (RHS 158D).        -   Sepals.—Numbers — 5 per blossom.        -   Sepals.—Shape — Lanceolate and the sepal tip being acuminate            in shape.        -   Sepal base.—Shape — Truncate.        -   Sepal length.—About 9.1 mm. Sepal Width — About 4.3 mm.        -   Sepals.—Pubescence — Abundant, and further covers both of            the dorsal and ventral surfaces.        -   Pubescence color.—White (RHS 155C).        -   Sepal color.—Dorsal and Ventral Surfaces — Yellow-green (RHS            146C).        -   Sepal color.—Tips — Highlighted, and appear grey-purple (RHS            182A).        -   Peduncle.—Length — About 13.8 to about 25.9 mm.        -   Peduncle.—Diameter — About 1.1 mm to about 1.5 mm.        -   Peduncle color.—The shaded side of the peduncle has a            yellow-green color (RHS 146A). The exposed side of the            peduncle is grey-green (RHS 197A).        -   Downiness.—Generally — A moderately heavy white downiness is            present over the entire surface.        -   Downiness color.—White (RHS 155C).        -   Thalamus depth.—About 2.3 to about 3.1 mm.-   Fruit:    -   -   Generally.—The observations which follow have been taken            from the first generation tree fruit.        -   Fruit form.—Considered flat-round.        -   Equatorial diameter.—Generally irregular, and occasional            ribbing is observed. The current variety is lopsided in            appearance and typically 5 crowns appear which are slightly            pronounced.        -   Fruit size.—Generally — Small to medium at normal crop            levels.        -   Equatorial diameter.—About 7.7 cm.        -   Axial diameter.—6.4 cm.        -   Fruit stem.—Generally — Generally considered medium in            length, about 15 mm. to about 30.5 mm.        -   Fruit stem.—Width — The diameter of the fruit stem, when            measured at mid-length, ranges from about 1.9 mm. to about            3.8 mm.        -   Stem cavity.—Width — The width ranges from about 28 to about            33.7 mm.        -   Stem cavity.—Depth — About 14.3 mm.        -   Stem cavity shape.—Obtuse and russetted. No lipping is            observed.        -   Basin cavity.—Shape — The basin cavity is lightly ribbed and            the sides are considered sloping.        -   Basin cavity.—Width — About 28.5 to 33.7 mm.        -   Basin cavity.—Depth — About 6.2 to about 10.9 mm.        -   Basin cavity surface texture.—Downy at the base. The            pubescence is white (RHS 155A).        -   Eye.—Generally — Considered erect and having an occasional,            reflexed tip.        -   Eye.—Surface Texture — Generally a light downiness is            observed at the base. This downiness has a white color (RHS            155A).        -   Sepal color.—Yellow-green (RHS 148B).        -   Fruit skin.—Generally — The appearance of the skin is            blotched in appearance over 95% to about 100% of the fruit            surface. Faint stripping appears over less than about 5% of            the fruit surface.        -   Fruit skin color.—This appears as a blotched over-color            which is red (RHS 46A). The under-color is washed and            appears grey-yellow (RHS 160).        -   Stripe color.—Red (RHS 53A).        -   Fruit skin thickness.—Considered thin, about 0.2 mm.        -   Skin texture.—Brittle, and tender.        -   Fruit skin lenticels.—Present, prominent and evenly            distributed.        -   Lenticel numbers.—Generally 4 per square cm. of fruit skin            surface area.        -   Lenticel shape.—Round and having a diameter of about 0.4 to            0.6 mm.        -   Lenticel color.—White (RHS 155D).        -   Core.—Position — Sessile.        -   Core line position.—Clasping.        -   Core shape.—Flat; round.        -   Core length.—About 24.6 to about 28.3 mm.        -   Core diameter.—About 32.5 to about 41.7 mm.        -   Cell.—Generally — Not tufted.        -   Cell shape.—Cordate.        -   Cell length.—About 15.4 mm.        -   Cell width.—About 10.6 mm. Cell Depth: When measured            wall-to-wall it is about 5.6 mm.        -   Tube.—Shape — Funnel.        -   Stamen position.—Generally considered median.        -   Axis.—Generally — Axile and open.        -   Seeds.—Numbers — 1-2.        -   Seed shape.—Obtuse.        -   Seed length.—About 7.4 mm.        -   Seed width.—When measured suture-to-suture it is about 4.5            mm.        -   Seed width.—When measured wall-to-wall — This is about 2.9            mm.        -   Seed color.—Grey-orange (RHS 176C).        -   Flesh.—Generally — Considered crisp, melting and juicy.        -   Flesh flavor.—Considered subacid, and apple-like.        -   Flesh browning.—This characteristic is observed typically            10-15 minutes following the cutting of the apple.        -   Flesh color.—White (RHS 158D).        -   Flesh aroma.—Mild, and apple like.        -   Date of maturity for harvesting and shipment.—About Oct. 4,            2014 under the ecological conditions prevailing in Quincy,            Wash. This is in contrast to the harvest date of the            Honeycrisp Apple trees (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,197) and which            were harvested on Sep. 9, 2014, and the Cripps Pink Cultivar            trees (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,880), and which were harvested            on Oct. 15, 2014 at Quincy, Wash.        -   Starch.—Generally — At harvest maturity the apples have a            starch of about 3.0.        -   Fruit pressure.—At harvest maturity the present variety has            a fruit pressure of about 17.1 lbs. This is in contrast to            the fruit produced by the Honeycrisp apple tree which has a            fruit pressure of about 15 lbs and the fruit produced by the            Cripps Pink Cultivar apple tree which has a fruit pressure            of about 19.4 lbs.        -   Brix.—At harvest maturity the present variety has a brix of            about 14.7. This is in contrast to the fruit produced by the            Honeycrisp apple tree at the same geographical location, and            which has a brix of about 13.5 and that of the Cripps Pink            Cultivar apple tree, and which has a brix of about 14.        -   Acid content.—When measured at harvest maturity the present            variety has an acid contents of about 5.88 grams per liter.            This is in contrast to the fruit produced by the Honeycrisp            apple tree, and which has an acid content of about 5.11, and            that of the Cripps Pink Cultivar apple tree, and which has            an acid content of about 6.64 at full harvest maturity.        -   ph.—At harvest maturity the present variety has a pH of            3.45. This is in contrast to the fruit produced by the            Honeycrisp and Cripps Pink Cultivar trees which produce            fruit at harvest maturity having a pH of about 3.45 and            3.27, respectively.        -   Keeping quality.—Considered very good. Fruit has been kept            up to 6 months in common storage with no deleterious effects            noted.        -   Pollination.—Generally — Any diploid apple having the same            blooming season may be utilized.        -   Fruit use.—A dessert apple. The present variety has            excellent eating quality and has a snappy, juicy, sweet and            melting skin.        -   Disease and insect resistance.—The present variety is            considered to be susceptible to all insects and diseases            found in the region of Central Washington State. Fruit as            observed does not exhibit any physiological disorders on the            tree nor during storage for the duration of normal lengths.            Although the new variety of apple tree possesses the            described characteristics when grown under the ecological            conditions prevailing in Quincy, Wash., in the south central            part of Washington state, it should be understood that            variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics            incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization,            pruning and pest control as well as horticultural management            practices are to be expected.

Having thus described and illustrated my new variety of apple tree, whatI claim is new and desire to secure by plant Letters Patent is:
 1. A newand distinct variety of apple tree, substantially as illustrated anddescribed, and which is characterized principally as to novelty bybearing a flavorful apple which is mature for harvesting and shipmentabout October 4th under the ecological conditions prevailing in Quincy,Wash.